For years, Ohio University has been given the reputation of one of the top party schools in the nation.
Playboy noted Athens’ infamous HallOUween block party, numerous fests and the 18 bars along Court Street as factors. In addition to our nationally ranked party school, we are home to one of the top journalism schools in the nation.
However, when a freshman announces their acceptance, the family’s first response is almost always, “Oh, isn’t that the party school?” Bobcats are always on the defense of our wonderful hOUme.
Freshman Emma Kramer, an Information Design Publication student, said that the party school status did not affect her decision in any way when deciding to come to OU.
“The campus is beyond beautiful, which is probably why everyone came here, but the Scripps school really was the main part,” said Kramer. “Scripps is one of the top ten journalism schools in the country, I knew that it was going to be the perfect program for me. Plus no other schools in this area offered my major.”
Ohio University administration has frequently defended the school’s academics in response to the party rankings. After Princeton Review rated OU as the top party school in 2012, President McDavis responded in a letter to students in faculty.
“This ranking is not indicative of the overall experience of OHIO students and does not match the data we have collected,” said McDavis. “We take seriously our responsibility to help our students succeed in all facets of their experience, including addressing high-risk behavior.”
While students and faculty view the school for much more than the reputation as a major rager school, there are still preconceived notions from outsiders about how much OU parties.
“When I first decided to come to school here some of my friends were a little surprised because I was a good student in high school,” said Freshman Engineering student Maggie Riley. “Since I've been here, I've met some of the smartest people I've ever met. It's not OU's fault, and it's definitely not the only school who has to deal with party-savvy students.”
Similarly, Freshman Journalism student Brett Hanebrink is unphased by others’ opinions of the school. “People can think whatever they want about OU,” said Hanebrink. “It does have a party atmosphere but that doesn’t mean we don’t go to class. Wiz Khalifa once said, ‘Work hard, play hard.’”
Ohio University has historically been ranked in several publications as a top party school. However, the school has not been ranked in Playboy since 2008, when it was rated as the eighth best party school in the nation.
Other publications that rate universities as party schools have also noted Ohio University on their lists for 2015, including the Princeton Review, which ranked OU as #13 in the nation.
"I was scared coming here because of the reputation it had. Once here, I realized there is more to do on the weekends than party, which made me fall in love with OU so much more," said freshman Communication Sciences and Disorders student Emily Krause.
Many freshmen primarily considered the academic programs when choosing to come to Ohio University, and have only fallen in love more now that they have attended for a month, even with the party culture.
“Students party here, but what college campus doesn't? Coming to this school was the best decision I ever made,” said Kramer. “I have completely fallen in love with the people and the environment. I never thought I could love one place so much.”
While students may be looking past the parties and more into the culture and academics, students still pride themselves on beating Miami’s status. Playboy acknowledged the rivalry in their article, saying “Sorry, Miami University, but OU’s year-round antics are hard to trump”.
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